If you don’t have Sky you won’t know what I’m on about, but I find Rachael Brooks so funny in the post test interviews. She clearly knows nothing about F1 because of the extent she depends on the times. Just today she practically said, “Well done Romain, you were quickest today and that means you’re going to win the championship. How do you feel about this?” Also, she seemed genuinely worried for Rosberg when he found himself second bottom on the time sheets, to which she responded to by asking in a concerned manner: “was there a problem?”. And its not just Brooks, Simon Lazenby too seems to congratulate drivers after being well placed. Sky, please don’t put us F1 fans through this pain. F1 is not just “any sport” like the others you cover and takes an individual far more specific than just “any sports reporter” to host a half relevant bit of coverage. You saw sense, you got rid of Georgie, now do the decent thing and get rid of Simon and have Martin “Brilliant” Brundle as your flagship host and commentator. One more thing, Rachael Brooks is never allowed near an F1 paddock again.

Just today she practically said, â€śWell done Romain, you were quickest today and that means youâ€™re going to win the championship. How do you feel about this?â€ť Also, she seemed genuinely worried for Rosberg when he found himself second bottom on the time sheets, to which she responded to by asking in a concerned manner: â€śwas there a problem?â€ť. And its not just Brooks, Simon Lazenby too seems to congratulate drivers after being well placed.

This is the problem of broadcasting testing: it’s BORING! Only the people who know more than the average fan can appreciate this dullness. So for the others, Sky must make it a show, so that the fans don’t feel like they’ve wasted their time when Sky says “Grosjean’s fastest, but it doesn’t matter one single bit.”

In my opinion, broadcasting testing is pointless. I like seeing the cars going around a corner, but the commentary with guests who say things I read a week ago frustates me. Last week and two weeks before, I quite liked watching photos of the cars and following Twitter saying: “red flag, no idea for who, where and what’s the problem.”

As far as I’m concerned, I wouldn’t mind watching 8 hours of on board footage of various cars.
But that’s the problem with F1 and it’s delusional quest of “bringing new audience”.

It’s like trying to make a meat meal for a vegetarian. Either he is going to stop being vegetarian by eating the meal with meat in it, or the meat will be replaced with soy and the result is, he won’t be tasting the meat at all in the end.

I loved having the speed stream last year, where they did some of the FP sessions by just showing the FOM footage without any commentary. A lot of on board, and hearing the engines almost constantly. Heaven.

Easy on Brooks, she doesn’t have to know everything and she’s a fast learner. And my friend, you will hate all the f1 websites at present, for they’re all doing what you accuse curvy Rachel of: declaring those at the top of the sheets as winners …. !
Of course you’re right, Melbourne and Malaysia will reveal all. Meantime sit back and let your stress levels slide with a close appraisal of Brooksey!!

I got a quick look at the Sky Sports broadcast after work, and I must say that the Red Bull seemed to be sliding around a lot on the exits of corners. I saw it quite a few times on one lap alone. Obviously, I don’t know if it had anything to do with what tyres he was on, but maybe a sign that the Red Bull isn’t quite as easy to drive as some of its predecessors. At least when you compare it to the likes of some of the other cars, notably the Lotus and McLaren (The only other two I got a good look at today).

And that is precisely why we like to watch testing. We might read that driver X set a very fast time and see an accompanying photo of his car but we have no idea if this is the sort of pace driver X will have during a 60 lap race or whether it was a heroic effort that was lucky not to end in disaster and totally unrepresentative of race performance.

I haven’t watched today’s testing at all, but from my observations of yesterday’s testing I found exactly the opposite to be true. That could be purely down to the tyres or set-up as you have said though.

The Red Bull is looking to be very reliable: I believe so far they’ve only had the one stoppage with Vettel due to a software glitch? If so, and the car is as reliably quick as it appears, I think Vettel is looking a good candidate for placing your bets on winning the title…